Apparatus for lifting and transporting goods by means of a hoist

ABSTRACT

A lifting clamp for hoists in which the clamp comprises a pair of C-shaped clamps which include clamping portions functioning to be urged downwardly onto an article being clamped by means of scissors-linkages operatively connected to a suspension eye so that as the clamp is lifted a clamping portion is urged downwardly in a rectilinear path; the scissor linkage including a vertically guided shaft providing a common pivot for the suspension eye and a pair of links of the scissors linkage; and releasable latch means for holding the clamp in an &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;open&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; condition.

vUnited States Patent [191 Pteifer APPARATUS FOR LIFTING AND TRANSPORTING GOODS BY MEANS OF A HOIST [76] Inventor: Hermann Pfeifer, Burkhartstrasse 4 894, Memmingen/Allgau, Germany [22] Filed: Aug. 3, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 385,556

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 4, 1972 Germany 7228907 [52] US. Cl. 294/67 AB, 214/654, 294/104 [51] Int. Cl. B66c l/22 [58] Field of Search 294/67 R, 67 A, 67 AA,

294/67 AB, 67 B, 67 BC, 86 R, 103, 104, 113, 118; 214/78, 80, 654, 655

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,564,655 12/1925 Westbo 294/67 BC 2,784,923 3/1957 Sepke 294/67 BC Feb. 11, 1975 3,001,812 9/1961 Anderson 294/67 BC 3,163,457 12/1964 Renfroe 294/67 AB FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 6,707,377 3/1968 Netherlands 294/67 AB 1,267,398 5/1968 Germany 294/67 A Primary ExaminerEvon C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-Johnny D. Cherry Attorney, Agent, or FirmHolman & Stern 5 7 ABSTRACT A lifting clamp for hoists in which the clamp comprises a pair of C-shaped clamps which include clamping portions functioning to be urged downwardly onto an article being clamped by means of scissors-linkages operatively connected to a suspension eye so that as the clamp is lifted a clamping portion is urged downwardly in a rectilinear path; the scissor linkage including a vertically guided shaft providing a common pivot for the suspension eye and a pair of links of the scissors linkage; and releasable latch means for holding the clamp in an open condition.

3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEBI H975 1865.421

SHEET 1 BF 2 11 m H61 N I l2 3 1 I a PATENT Him 1 ms SHEEI 2 BF 2 APPARATUS FOR LIFTING AND TRANSPORTING GOODS BY MEANS OF A HOIST BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The invention concerns an apparatus for lifting and transporting goods by means of a hoist. Particular goods such for example as metal packages, formed parts, moulded parts, etc., which normally give rise to considerable difficulties on transportation by means of a hoist.

GENERAL BACKGROUND It is known to use ropes, carrying bands, C-hooks or the like for securing the goods. However, lifting and transportation of such goods essentially involves expense and danger, and careful control by several peo-' plc is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which facilitates the lifting and transportation by means of a hoist, in particular, of goods which are difficult to transport.

The apparatus in accordance with the invention comprises a frame for engaging below the goods, and holding means mounted on the frame and adapted, when operated, to press down upon the goods from above; the holding means comprising a scissors linkage, a pressure-applying part carried by the linkage, and a carrying eye connected to the linkage in such manner that a carrying force acting on the eye operates the linkage to move the press part in a direction to engage goods.

As the frame engages the goods from below at the same time has a pressure-applying means controlled and applied due to the lifting force, the goods to be transported are securely held during transportation even when they are of varying width, so that the prior expedients expendients to secure the load are avoided.

Preferably, the frame is of C-shape so that a part of it is disposed below the load and the other part above the load, the part of the frame above the load serves to mount the scissors and the associated parts which are guided to allow a uniform, secure pressing force to be applied on the goods.

The invention includes the provision of latches for securing the scissors and clamps out of action (inoprative) during transportation when goods are not engaged; the arrangement is such that the latches can also be used to secure the carrying eye in a position so as to prevent the holding means being inadvertently operated when set to its inoperative position.

To facilitate understanding of the invention and enable it to be readily carried into effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which schematically illustrate one embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 a side view, partly in section, of the apparatus according to this embodiment; and

FIG. 2 a rear view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The apparatus comprises a pair of frames 1, each of which is of C-form and has a lower horizontal part 16, a vertical part 17 and an upper horizontal part 18. The two frames are connected in spaced positions by an integral cross-piece 19. A load to be lifted and transported rests on the parts 16. The vertical parts 17 approximately match with the height of the load and I8 serve for mounting the clamping device.

A lower pivot shaft 9 extends between the parts 18 and carries, adjacent each C-frame 1, a scissors linkage comprising four members 3, 4, 5 and 6. Each linkage carries a clamp as pressure part 2 arranged to press from above on a load carried by the C-frames I. The press parts 2 are each connected by a slotted connection to lower link members 5 and 6 of the associated scissors; these members 5, 6 are pivotal about the axis of shaft 9 and are pivotally connected at 5', 6, respectively with upper scissor link members 3 and 4 respectively.

The upper scissor members 3 and 4 of each scissors linkage are connected to a transverse, common pivot member 8 guided at its extremities in guides 10. A lifting eye 7 is pivotally connected to the pivot member 8; see phantom lines of FIG. 1. I

If tension (lifting force) is exerted on the eye 7, i.e., member 8 is moved upward, the scissors linkages move to the extended position (clamps 2 move down) and goods carried by the C-frames l are engaged and held by the press parts 2 onto lower parts 16. It will be appreciated that the press parts 2 can be provided with suitable coatings, e.g., of rubber.

Latches 11 and 12 are provided to secure the appara tus (inoperative clamp attitude) during transportation empty. Latches 12 engage the eye 7 at projections 11 and latch 11 the of the clamp 8. Hand grips 13 and 14 are provided to operate the connected latches. A spring 15 presses latch 11 into the holding position.

I claim;

1. A lifting clamp for use with a lifting hoist whereby lifting forces cause positive clamping of goods being lifted and transported, comprising:

a frame including a lower portion for engaging beneath goods and an upper support portion above said lower portion;

a scissors linkage assembly including a first pair of levers intermediately on a pivot axis fixed on said upper support portion;

a clamp member overlying said lower portion and including spaced slot portions extending along said clamp member and portions of the first pair of levers whereby pivotal movement of the levers toward each other above the pivot axis causes the clamp member to move downwardly in a rectilinear path toward said lower support portion and movement of the levers in an opposite direction raises the clamp member,

said scissors linkage including a second pair of levers pivotally connected at lower portions to respective upper ends of said first pair of levers,

said second pair of levers being pivotally connected to common pivot shaft mounted on said frame, said frame including guide means operatively connected to said common shaft for retaining the shaft in a rectilinear path of movement relative to the clamp member whereby upward movement of the shaft member causes downward movement of the clamp member and downward movement of the shaft member causes downward upward movement of the clamp member;

a lifting eye member pivoted on said common shaft for movement therewith whereby lifting forces applied to the lifting eye member causes downward movement of the clamp member and downward movement of the eye member causes upward movement of the clamp member; and

releasable latch means on said frame operatively associated with said lifting eye member including means for engaging and retaining the eye member in an inclined position and the common pivot shaft in a downward position while causing the clamp member to be raised whereby during empty transport of the lifting clamp, the lifting clamp is in an open condition for immediate engagement with goods.

2. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said releasable latch means comprises an elongated lever pivotally mounted on the frame in spaced relation from the common shaft and includes a portion opening downwardly toward said common shaft, said lifting member including a portion spaced above said common pivot axis for engagement with the downwardly opening portion of the latch levers whereby the lifting member must be inclined relative to the common picot shaft to urge the common pivot shaft toward the pivot axis of the first pair of levers of the scissors linkage to prevent closing of the lifting clamp.

3. The structure as claimed in claim 2 said releasable latch means includes a laterally projecting handle for manually disengaging the releasable latch lever from the lifting eye member. 

1. A lifting clamp for use with a lifting hoist whereby lifting forces cause positive clamping of goods being lifted and transported, comprising: a frame including a lower portion for engaging beneath goods and an upper support portion above said lower portion; a scissors linkage assembly including a first pair of levers intermediately on a pivot axis fixed on said upper support portion; a clamp member overlying said lower portion and including spaced slot portions extending along said clamp member and portions of the first pair of levers whereby pivotal movement of the levers toward each other above the pivot axis causes the clamp member to move downwardly in a rectilinear path toward said lower support portion and movement of the levers in an opposite direction raises the clamp member, said scissors linkage including a second pair of levers pivotally connected at lower portions to respective upper ends of said first pair of levers, said second pair of levers being pivotally connected to common pivot shaft mounted on said frame, said frame including guide means operatively connected to said common shaft for retaining the shaft in a rectilinear path of movement relative to the clamp member whereby upward movement of the shaft member causes downward movement of the clamp member and downward movement of the shaft member causes downward upward movement of the clamp member; a lifting eye member pivoted on said common shaft for movement therewith whereby lifting forces applied to the lifting eye member causes downward movement of the clamp member and downward movement of the eye member causes upward movement of the clamp member; and releasable latch means on said frame operatively associated with said lifting eye member including means for engaging and retaining the eye member in an inclined position and the common pivot shaft in a downward position while causing the clamp member to be raised whereby during empty transport of the lifting clamp, the lifting clamp is in an ''''open'''' condition for immediate engagement with goods.
 2. ThE structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said releasable latch means comprises an elongated lever pivotally mounted on the frame in spaced relation from the common shaft and includes a portion opening downwardly toward said common shaft, said lifting member including a portion spaced above said common pivot axis for engagement with the downwardly opening portion of the latch levers whereby the lifting member must be inclined relative to the common picot shaft to urge the common pivot shaft toward the pivot axis of the first pair of levers of the scissors linkage to prevent ''''closing'''' of the lifting clamp.
 3. The structure as claimed in claim 2 said releasable latch means includes a laterally projecting handle for manually disengaging the releasable latch lever from the lifting eye member. 